Plastic is everywhere! We are drowning in waste and it has huge health implications. It is not acceptable. The government has introduced the extended producer responsibility (EPR) under which almost all manufactures, importers and brand owners have 100 per cent collection target and as per records, the country has recycled 4-5 years of all the plastic waste it has produced. The revenue is equal to 4 Chandrayaan missions. So, what is happening? Why then do we still see plastic waste? Let’s do a little deep dive into this EPR system and what is is adding up to, or not.
Let’s explore plastic and why the waste is everywhere, despite the EPR system and what then needs to be done
India has recycled 17 million tonnes of plastic packaging waste since 2022, when the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regime came into force, according to latest data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). If we estimate the value of this plastic recycling trade it is a whopping Rs 2500 crore (or Rs 25 billion). Just so that we understand this number, it is equal to funding four Chandrayaan-3 Moon missions.
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